cannot what for long there at the pentagon and not bump into someone in that organization. in particular, i would like to single out someone else to came from there, jim miller, who is now the successor for michelle in the position of policy undersecretary. he, too, is someone i depend on every day to try to -- to depend on for everything from the tremendous number of crises that we confront and the strategic challenges we also have to discuss. i am particularly pleased with his leadership, which really follows in the footsteps of michelle, and his acumen and wisdom and all the policies that i deeply appreciate. i spent a lot of time in washington, and you need a lot of people, but it is the people who have a conscience and work hard at their jobs who are the most respected people you can work with. as we enter a second term for president obama, jim and so many other alumni will continue to play a critical role in helping guide the of ministration cost defense and foreign policy. with the election behind us, washington is turning its attention to the unfinished business, pa